By Ahmed Kaigama
The Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) Bauchi Command has maintained that 31 inmates on death row were awaiting execution in the state.
DSC Abdullahi Usman, The NCoS, Statistics Officer stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Bauchi.
According to him, out of the number, 24 are to be executed by hanging and there are 22 male adults and two female adults.
Usman added that seven other inmates are awaiting execution by stoning and they are all male adults.
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He explained that most of the inmates on death roll in Bauchi state are not indigenes of the state but were brought in from other states.
Usman added that this was as a result of apprehension and pressure from the inmates’ family when left in a correctional center domiciled in their state of origin.
He explained that the correction was only waiting for the executive order by the state government before carrying out the execution as approved by competent courts of law.
Meanwhile Legal Experts in Bauchi State have advocated for legal reforms and policy changes that would streamline the justice system in Nigeria.
Mrs Sadiya Saleh, Chairperson, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Bauchi on Human rights Committee said the need for exploring alternatives to incarceration for non-violent offenses,
“Reassessing sentencing guidelines, and promoting expedited trials and championing improved conditions within correctional facilities,
“Encompassing healthcare, sanitation, and access to legal representation, is vital,” he said.
Saleh stressed that NBA can significantly contribute to upholding the rights of inmates, fostering a more just and humane correctional system.
Also Speaking, Mr Silas Simon, Constitutional Lawyer in Bauchi urged Federal Government should implementation of the Provision of Section 34 of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to decongest the correctional facilities
“Visits to detention centers by Judges and Magistrates is paramount as well as work on the database and biometric records of inmates for reintegration,” he said.
Simon stressed the need to establish the office of an ombudsman or an inspectorate directorate to receive, collate and follow up on the reports coming out from the statutory oversight and monitoring bodies.
“To also encourage the ACJA monitoring committee to take active steps to effectively carry out its mandate of ensuring the implementation of ACJA,”he said.
